THE top 10 islands in the world have been revealed, from Italian paradise to popular Greek gems.
Online travel agency, Expedia, has formed its ‘Hot List’ for islands across the world, judging them on standout stays, affordability, flights and appeal – and there’s one in particular that’s very familiar to readers.
7
Paros has been recognised as the world’s best island more than onceCredit: Alamy
7
It has beautiful beaches and a vibrant nightlifeCredit: Alamy
The island of Paros has become a standout name in 2025.
The Greek paradise was declared best in the world by Travel + Leisure – and has made it onto Expedia’s Island Hot List too.
Paros forms part of the Cyclades Islands surrounded by the likes of Naxos, Milos and Antiparos.
We spoke to one holidaymaker who went to Paros recently, where she discovered beautiful beaches, traditional villages and a buzzing nightlife.
She also raved about the delicious seafood, hidden clubs and party boats.
Also on the list is Italy’s Sardinia, which Expedia said boasts a “rugged coastline and hilltop villages.”
Sardinia is a large Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea, and there’s almost no end to the beaches as it has over 1,000 miles worth of coastline.
The standout island has attracted lots of holidaymakers over the years, including celebrities like George Clooney and Beyonce.
One visitor discovered sun-drenched beaches where waiters deliver cocktails directly to sunbeds.
On the island is even a little-known beach that has been compared to the Sahara Desert.
I found the perfect adults-only hotel for an all-inclusive Greek island holiday
7
Sardinia is one of the top islands – and the closest on the list from the UKCredit: Alamy
7
Aruba is on the hot list too and has incredible beachesCredit: Alamy
Found on the west coast of the Costa Verde coastline of the island is a beach called Spiaggia di Piscinas that has soft golden sands, clear blue waters.
It’s where you’ll find some huge dunes that look like they belong in the desert, and they rise up to heights of 60 metres.
These dunes are the reason it has been nicknamed “Little Sahara of Italy”.
Also on the list was Aruba, which was also recently revealed to be the safest island in the Caribbean Sea.
Scoring 90 out of 100 – compared to the lowest being 34 for Puerto Rico – it is ranked one of the safest across the islands.
Not only that, it’s known by locals as ‘One Happy Island’.
It’s not really a surprise because the island gets highs of 30C even in winter.
The island is much drier than others that surround it as it sits just outside of the hurricane belt.
Aruba is famous for having white sand beaches, and being home to Flamingo Beach where you can see the famous pink birds relaxing in shallow waters.
7
Koh Samui is the second largest island in ThailandCredit: Alamy
7
The island is known for the coastline and vibrant nightlifeCredit: Alamy
Koh Samui, Thailand‘s second largest island also found a place on the Island Hot List.
It’s known for having incredible beaches, huge temples and vibrant nightlife.
Thanks to a very well-known TV series, White Lotus, Koh Samui is even more on the map.
The island also has an annual festival called Songkran which is a three-day celebration where people are armed with water pistols.
The festival traditionally runs April 13-15, which just happens to be during Thailand’s hottest season.
One writer checked it out for herself and had an absolute blast.
Expedia also found a rising interest in other islands, particularly for Brits like Jersey, Crete, Malta and Madeira.
Plus, here are 20 of Europe’s most beautiful islands that all have direct flights from the UK.
And check out the cheeky 48-hour holidays to Europe’s best cities, beach towns and islands this summer from £167.
These Are Expedia’s Top 10 Islands for 2025
- Aruba
- Bali
- Dominican Republic
- Fiji
- Jamaica
- Koh Samui
- Maldives
- Oahu, Hawaii
- Paros, Greece
- Sardinia, Italy
7
Expedia has revealed its top 10 islands for 2025Credit: Alamy